Reversible train-classification signal



A ril 22, 1930.. w. J. FROST REVERSIBLE TRAIN CLASSIFICATION SIGNALFiled Aug. 5, 1929 Fig 4' M 4. fll il gt BY [v m/M7 A TTORNEY S E3 IIHIIFig. 3

Patented Apr. 22, 1930 WILLIAM J. FROST, F MANSFIELD, LOUISIANAREVERSIBLE TRAIN-CLASSIFICATION SIGNAL Application filed August 5, 1929.Serial No. 383,685. v

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a reversibletrain classification signal.

One object of the invention is to provide signal flag, specially adaptedfor use on locomotives and readily convertible from white to green andvice versa as the circumstances of the case may require.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal flag of thecharacter described preferably formed of metal which is very durable andnot liable to become lost and which may be readily taken from thelocomotive and stored when not in use.

Signal flags as at present used, are usually made of bunting andconsequently soon wear out or become lost or damaged and can not bereadily stored away and necessitate the changing of flags when thesignals are to be changed. It is the prime object of this invention toprovide an all metal flag which is readily convertible from one color toanother and which has none of the disadvantages of the bunting flagabove enumerated.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention has particularrelation to certain novel features of construction, arrangement ofparts, and use, an example of which is given in this specification andillustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows an elevation of the signal device showing the wingsthereof in open position.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the device in position for use with thegreen signal displayed. I

Figure 3 shows a front end view of a locomotive with the signal fiagsthereon displaying the white signal and Figure 4 shows an end view ofthe signal device.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numeralsdesignate similar parts in each of the figures, the numeral 1 designatesthe flag staff, one being arranged on each side of the locomotive. Thesestaffs may be bolted to the front end of the locomotive by using two ofthe bolts that fasten the smoke box ring in place. The signal devicecomprises the two wings 2, 3 preferably formed of sheet metal. One ofthese wings has a continuous sleeve 4 which is fitted down over theupper end of the staff land whose lower end has the oppositely disposednotches 5, 5 adapted to receive the oppositely disposed studs 6, 650 asto hold the signal against turning on the staff. The other wing 2, hasthe hinge members 7, sleevelike in form, which form bearings throughwhich the sleeve 4 extends. The wings 2, 3 are thus hingedly connectedtogether and may be removed from the staff by lifting them upwardly toslip the sleeve 4 off of the said staff and the signal device may thenbe laid away when not in use.

At the free end of the wing 3 there is a pair of outwardly projectingeyes 8, 8, one on each side, and at the free end of the other wing 2there is a pair of slots 9, 9, so arranged that when the wingsare-folded together in coinciding position, a pair of eyes 8 willproject through said slots 9 and a key 10 may then be inserted throughsaid projecting eyes to lock the wings together in coinciding position.The key 10 is secured against loss by a suit able chain 11 which isattached to the adja cent wing. The wings are painted green on one sideand white on the other so that when the wings are secured together incoinciding relation in one position they will display a green signalupon each side and when reversed and secured, as stated, in the otherposition, they will display a white signal. In reversing the signalcolor the key 10 may be withdrawn from the eyes 8 and the wing 2 swungaround into reversed position with the other eyes 8 projecting throughthe slots 9, and the key reinserted through said lastmentioned eyes.

The drawings and'description illustrate a preferred form of theinvention by way of illustration'only, while the principle of theinvention will be defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A signalling device including two rigid wings hinged together at oneend and movable into either of two coinciding positions one wing havinga slot, eyes on each side of the other wing and adapted to projectthrough said slot when the wings are in such coinciding position, and toreceive a key insertable through said projecting eye to secure saidwings together.

2. A signalling device including two substantially rigid wings hingedtogether at one end, said wings being foldable into either of twoadjacent, coinciding positions, said wings presenting one color whenfolded into one position, and presenting another color when folded intosaid other position, the hinged end of one of said wings having bearingsand the hinged end of the other wing having a sleeve on which saidbearings turn a staff on which said sleeve is fitted, and releasableinterlocking means between said sleeve and staff which normally hold thesleeve against rotation on the staff.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM J. FROST.

